- Please support our journalism through affiliate links. Affiliate Disclosure
Review:
As you slowly drive through impressive Sawach Mountain along the banks of the Roaring Fork River, take some time to stop and take in the view. Each peak under the clear blue sky is covered with a crown of snow, and both the mountains and the sky serve as the backdrop for the magnificent dark blue lodgepole pines and tall elegant aspens. This road, called Independence Pass, goes between Leadville and Aspen.
At times, it reaches to 14,500 feet in altitude, and it is one of the most breathtaking and picturesque drives in the country. You can take advantage of this road until mid-November when it closes until Memorial Day. The silver and gold miners who built the road were not so much interested in the views as they were in the riches the Rocky Mountains were hiding in their depths. Some did manage to strike it rich, and 130 years later, we can now enjoy the fruits of their backbreaking labor. Independence Pass Map
Plan Your Trip
Get Ready to Go!
- Search flights and stays nearby.
- Book your tour or local activity.
- Book your car rental.
Need some more help?
Read our Reservations & Travel Planning Tips guide.